Baxter Brewing announces major expansion

Luke Livingston, owner and founder of Baxter Brewery, announced Monday, Oct. 15, 2012 a plan to quadruple beer production and add at least 15 jobs as part of a $2 million expansion. Demand for Baxter's beer has been so high, that the company can not keep up with orders, said Livingston.

Pat Wellenbach | AP | BDN

Pat Wellenbach | AP | BDN

A mug of beer is seen at the Baxter Brewing Co., in Lewiston in January 2011.

LEWISTON, Maine — Baxter Brewing Co. plans to quadruple beer production and add at least 15 jobs as part of a $2 million expansion, President Luke Livingston said Monday.

A new 24-hour beer-making process is expected to be operating by spring 2013, Livingston said.

The Lewiston-based brewer has been operating for two years in the Bates Mill Complex. It currently makes three year-round beer varieties and a seasonal brew. Distribution reaches across Maine and Massachusetts.

However, Baxter has been unable to keep up with demand.

“People are begging for beer,” he said Monday at a press conference called for the announcement. “From our standpoint, it’s tough leaving all that beer and money on the table.”

The planned work will include the construction of a steel and concrete bunker for fermenters, another canning line and new offices in an upstairs suite at the former mill.